politics
Farage to Face 34 Candidates in Clacton By-Election After Resigning Over Donations
Nigel Farage seeks to regain his Clacton seat in an August 13 by-election featuring a record 34 candidates. The Reform UK leader resigned earlier this month after controversy over undeclared gifts including a five-million-pound donation.
Jul 17, 8:23 PM·1m read1 source
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Nigel Farage will face 33 opponents in the Clacton by-election on August 13. Tendring District Council, which is administering the vote, said the total of 34 candidates is believed to be the largest ever for a United Kingdom parliamentary election. Farage resigned as Member of Parliament for Clacton earlier this month after weeks of controversy over gifts and donations that he had not initially declared under parliamentary rules.
In June it emerged that he had received a five-million-pound gift from a billionaire cryptocurrency investor. Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, has denied wrongdoing. He stated that he is standing again so voters can decide whether he should continue to represent them in parliament.
Britain’s main political parties are not contesting the by-election. Among the challengers are comedian Jon Harvey standing as Count Binface, Alan “Howling Laud” Hope of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party, and actor Lawrence Fox. Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference in London on Friday, Farage said the people of Clacton can decide whether they back him or the establishment.
He added that he has taken a punt because he likes a gamble and hopes voters will come down on his side. Online prediction market Polymarket gives Farage an implied probability of about 95 percent of winning.
